They Want to Borrow my Integrity, Wear it Like a Costume.

Selling Dreams, Cashing In: The Dirty Business of Performer Showcases

Here you go! See the pictures of the email I got today and pictures of the costs on their site.

It was from a company called Next Star Productions. They want me—someone who has spent years nurturing young actors with integrity—to help them bring performers to their next event.

But I want you to see what they are really asking and what they are pitching to me. Here's a direct quote from the email and you can see the picture of it here: "We're also proud to offer a 50/50 registration split - Next Star Productions and each represented Owner, Director/Coordinator bringing their talent will receive 50% off all registrations. Join other owners who are receiving anywhere from $15-30K for bringing their talent to NEXT!"   (see the pics of the actual email I received) Just send them actors. Encourage them to register. That’s it. No real vetting. No real concern for who these kids are or whether the event will actually help them.

Realize this! If I were someone else—someone willing to trade in your trust in me—I could make a very easy buck. They’re charging these actors hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars. (see pics of the cost!) Imagine making, let's say on the low end here, $500 or more per person just for saying, “You should go to this event.” And on some of the people, I could make about $5000 per person if I pushed the right package!!!!

No hard work.No craft.Just cash—at your expense!

This Is How the Machine Works

These companies don’t care about your talent. They care about your wallet—and they count on you being too hopeful, too trusting, or too scared to miss out on “the opportunity of a lifetime.”

But what they really count on are people like me. Coaches, teachers, mentors—the ones you believe in. They send us emails like this because they know if we vouch for them, you’ll listen.

They want to borrow my integrity, wear it like a costume, and use it to open your wallet.

That is disgusting.

Imagine If I Said Yes…

If I took this deal, I could make thousands of dollars.

And all I’d have to do is betray your trust.

I’d be selling your ambition for my commission.

I’d be standing on your back to cash a check.

And don’t think for a second that this is just about one company. This is how these showcases and conventions survive—by enlisting insiders to turn your dream into their payday. They don’t find stars. They manufacture hype, and they sell access that should be earned, not bought.

This Is a Call-Out

I’m done pretending this is a gray area. It’s not. If a company needs to bribe your mentor to convince you to come, it is not a legitimate opportunity—it is a scheme.

So this is me, calling it out:

• Stop preying on young actors.

• Stop hiding your profit motive behind cheap promises.

• Stop asking people like me to lie for you.

And to every actor reading this: please, open your eyes.

Ask questions. Follow the money. If it sounds too good to be true—and they’re asking for a payment—it probably is.

Protect Your Dream

Your dream is not for sale.Your talent is not a ticket price.Your trust is not a discount code.

You deserve better.

And I promise you—if you stick with people who are building you up for real, not selling you out behind your back—you’ll get where you’re meant to go.

But you have to be awake. You have to be angry. And you have to say NO.